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Tom Wolf and supporters celebrate opening of York campaign office

The York County businessman is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.

By ED MAHON Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated:
08/14/2013 03:23:13 PM EDT

York, PA -

Tom Wolf stood surrounded by friends and supporters in his campaign's new downtown York office.

He started explaining why he thinks he should be the next governor of Pennsylvania.

Then he raised his hands, signaling an apology.

"I'm selling here. I'm sorry," he said.

The crowd laughed.

"That's the idea," one person called back.

Wolf continued.

The businessman from Mount Wolf has been campaigning across the state for months. But he said he considered Tuesday the official start, as his campaign held a "housewarming party" for the York office on the 100 block of North George Street.

Tom Wolf (FILE PHOTO)

The crowd at Tuesday evening's event stretched outside at times. Sharon Nichols, of Hanover, said she met Wolf in the 1970s.

"I've always been impressed by him," she said, describing Wolf as honest and smart. "...He's the best man for the job right now."

Wolf, a former state revenue secretary, is competing in a crowded field of Democrats, all seeking to defeat incumbent Republican Gov. Tom Corbett in 2014. The list of Democratic candidates includes U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz and John Hanger, former secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

For most of Tuesday's celebration, Wolf spoke with people one-on-one.

During brief remarks to the crowd, Wolf talked about the importance of transportation and education funding.

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And he focused on his background: serving in the Peace Corps, getting a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, serving as chairman of the United Way of York County and other community organizations, working in business and serving as a state cabinet secretary.

He said he wants to convince voters to look at this race like a hiring decision, and he said the state needs someone who can bring those different perspectives to the position.

"We can't keep throwing darts at each other. We've got to start talking to each other," he said. "And we actually have to come up with good public policies that are going to make a difference. I think my resume suggests I've done that throughout my life."

Quotable

"I think Pennsylvania can be so much better than it is," Tom Wolf said. "And I'd like to prove that."